Acne: a lot of us have it, but more often than not, we get confused by the numerous myths surrounding acne and what causes it. LS Aesthetic Clinic tackles 5 of the most common acne myths head-on and clears up the confusion surrounding these myths.
MYTH #1: Greasy foods cause acne
There is little scientific evidence to prove that greasy or oily foods cause acne outbreaks. However, dairy-related products have been proven to aggravate acne formulation.
MYTH #2: Acne is caused by dirt on my skin
Acne is not caused by dirt, but rather by p. acnes, a type of bacteria that occurs naturally on our skin. However, if p.acnes bacteria is trapped in clogged pores, the bacteria will multiply, eventually leading to an acne outbreak.
Hence, it is important to exfoliate your skin regularly, to ensure that your pores are not clogged by excess sebum or dirt that provide a breeding ground for p.acnes bacteria to multiply.
MYTH #3: Having acne means I don’t wash my face often enough
That’s not true! You can’t get rid of acne breakouts simply by washing your face more often. Washing your face too frequently and aggressively can lead to more irritated skin and make any existing acne breakouts much worse.
Instead, wash your face 1 – 2 times a day with warm water and a cleanser containing glycolic or salicylic acid – these are active ingredients proven to be effective in fighting acne.
MYTH #4: The stronger the skincare product, the better it is for treating acne
This is not always true. Using products that are too harsh for your skin can be counter-productive – this just leads to traumatised, irritated skin, and that’s what we don’t want!
Use what your dermatologist recommends, follow his/her acne skincare protocol, and you’ll be just fine.
MYTH #5: Drying up acne spots with toothpaste or other drying chemicals can help to clear acne
People often think that putting toothpaste, alcohol, or other drying chemicals can help to clear dry up a pimple. But, when your skin is dry, it produces even more oil. If more sebum is produced and this ends up clogging your pores, any p. acnes bacteria trapped inside can easily multiply, leading to further acne outbreaks. Using proper acne-targeted spot treatments recommended by your dermatologist will be more effective in clearing up those unwanted pimples – fast!
So, whenever you find yourself swimming in the sea of myths surrounding acne and acne formation, ignore them lest you end up doing something to aggravate an acne breakout instead! Speak with your dermatologist about acne treatments, such as laser treatments, oral medication, or acne facial treatment programs, as well as skincare routines that will work for you, and your skin will thank you.
Dr Allan Kok knows the distress that acne can cause and has more than 10 years of experience in treating different acne conditions. For more information, give us a call at +65 6738 4700 or email us at enquire@lsaestheticclinic.com.We provide honest advice, quality care, and affordable prices.